Custer

Era: 19^th Century

Importance: Pursuer of Indians

Module: American West

George Custer

Custer’s undoubted brilliance and heroism were tempered by less-desirable qualities in a  soldier – hotheadedness, arrogance and foolhardiness.

At Military College Custer passed out 29^th of 29. However he went on to become the youngest general in the history of the US Army.

His army career faltered in 1875 when he accused the President’s brother of corruption. Almost cashiered out of the army, he typically survived.

General Sherman revived his career and appointed him as commander of the 7^th Cavalry. It was in his command of these troops he led them to their deaths in the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876. His inability to follow orders carefully or his understanding of the situation are cited as the main reasons for the deaths of his 250 soldiers by the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians.

Was Custer to blame?